Consolidated PT-11

PT-11
Consolidated Y1PT-11
General information
Type	Primary trainer
Manufacturer	Consolidated Aircraft Company, Fleet Aircraft
Primary users	United States Army Air Corps United States Coast Guard
Number built	41 [1] [2]
History
Introduction date	1931

The Consolidated Model 21 was an American two-seat training aircraft built by the Consolidated Aircraft Company. It was used by the United States Army Air Corps with the designation PT-11 and the United States Coast Guard under the designation N4Y.

Design and development

The Model 21 was an aerodynamic cleaned up version of the Model 12/PT-3, one of the distinguishing features being curved instead of angular tail surfaces. The aircraft was a single-engined biplane with fixed tailwheel landing gear and accommodation for two in open cockpits.

Operational history

Designated the PT-11 by the United States Army Air Corps it progressed through a number of trial variants but was not built in large numbers. 11 Examples of the model 21-C were built in Canada as the 21-M for Mexico but none were built for local use.

Variants

XPT-933

(Model 21A). Prototype powered by 170 hp (130 kW) Kinner engine, first flew February 1931. ^[3]

YPT-11

Evaluation aircraft for US Army based on the Model 21A with a 165 hp (123 kW) Continental R-545-1 engine, four built. ^[3]

PT-11A

One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 175 hp (130 kW) Curtiss R-600-1 Challenger engine, originally as Y1PT-11A, later converted to PT-11C standard. ^[3]

Y1PT-11B

One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 210 hp (160 kW) Kinner YR-720-1 engine and designated Y1PT-11B. 5 production aircraft for US Army with another for the United States Coast Guard and designated N4Y-1. ^[4]

PT-11C

PT-11A re-engined with a 180 hp (130 kW) Lycoming YR-680-1 engine. One or two converted for US Army, with 18 new-build aircraft for Colombia. ^[5]

PT-11D

Production version with 220 hp (160 kW) R-680-3 engine, originally designated Y1PT-11D. 21 new-built, plus five conversions from Y1PT11-Bs and two from Y1PT-11s. ^[5]

PT-12

A version of the PT-11 with a 300hp R-985-1 engine and detailed changes, ten built later redesignated BT-7.

Y1BT-6

Y1BT-6

One YPT-11 was re-engined with a 300hp R-985-1

BT-6

Redesignation of Y1BT-6.

BT-7

BT-7

PT-12 aircraft redesignated.

XN4Y-1

Evaluation aircraft for the United States Coast Guard, three built.

N4Y-1

One YPT-11B for the USCG, later modified to the same standard as the XN4Y-1

Operators

  United States

• United States Army Air Corps
• United States Coast Guard

  Colombia

• Colombian Air Force (PT-11C).

  Paraguay

• Paraguayan Air Arm (Model 21-C).

  Mexico

• Mexican Air Force (Model 21-M).

Specifications (PT-11D)

Data from "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985)" Orbis Publishing

General characteristics

• Crew: two
• Length: 26 ft 11 in (8.20 m)
• Wingspan: 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
• Height: 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m)
• Wing area: 280 sq ft (26.01 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,918 lb (870 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 2,585 lb (1,173 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming R-680A radial piston, 200 hp (149 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 118 mph (190 km/h, 103 kn)
• Service ceiling: 13,700 ft (4,175 m)

See also

• Consolidated PT-3

References

1. "U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.
2. "Fleet".
3. Wegg 1990, p. 64.
4. Wegg 1990, p. 65.
5. Wegg 1990, pp. 64–65.

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
• Wegg, John (1990). General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN   0-85177-833-X.